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Mar 17, 2022Liked by author

Shanna, procrasti-cleaning was my M.O. when I was grading papers or writing articles. I would sit down at the computer, look at that blank screen, and think, "when's the last time I cleaned the top of the refrigerator? I'd better do that right away." Now, you have to understand that I am somewhat vertically challenged (5'2" on a good day) so I never see the top of the refrigerator. But suddenly, when I was under a deadline, cleaning the top of that refrigerator seemed to be the most important thing to do in my life! It's amazing the tricks our minds will play when we know we "should" be doing something but we're really not in the mood or not ready to do just yet.

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Hi Shanna, you can come & clean my house if it's something you like doing! I have a lot of spring cleaning to do, clear out an awful lot of rubbish and put a few things on Ebay! I may as well earn a little from it all! Why not?! Yes we used to get a lot of sand blowing in when we lived in Spain. The Sahara has a lot to answer for!! Those hot winds you get in July and August! Like walking into a sauna! The sea mists too! How's Milo with cleaners of the electrical kind?! My last one used to attack ours, same with a broom! I do miss my last 2, they both died within 5 months of each other 3 years ago now! But they were old dogs and that's the price we pet lovers have to pay unfortunately! Anyway, enjoy your cleaning! I haven't bought you a coffee yet, I shall have to rectify that!! Hugs xxx

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Yep. There is nothing like a deadline to make cleaning and sorting the most important thing EVER!! But sometimes that comes a close second to suddenly needing to know what a character from a 1980s sitcom looks like today via a YouTube video.

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The memories live within you...yes. This is profoundly true. Some people must carry their memories in external packages; mine are in my heart and head. Such a lovely perspective.

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Arriving in Lisbon April 18. Until March 31. Very excited. Love to see Setubal. Be well. Flip

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Hi Shanna I assume its dangerous for the animals too. I remember going to my son's baseball games in Santa Fe in the Spring and the wind was crazy. It blew all the sand and dust from the field right into the faces of the eager parents watching the games. I didn't like Spring there but loved the Summers. Wondering what that will be like in late April-first of May when I 'm in Portugal.

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Mar 17, 2022Liked by author

It's so funny to read about the art. We moved a lot of art with us to Portugal. So much that some of it is under the bed, in the closets.I had three pieces framed here, two of which had been sitting in tubes for at least ten years. Same thing with books, although I did cut way back. But we finally went back last fall and cleaned out a storage locker (more books and thousands of family photos were kept but the rest...why did I have a plastic colander in storage for five years?) Some of us are natural pack rats.

And the sandstorm, that has been wild. At least we all have masks.

And thanks for sharing, always enjoyable to read about your adventures.

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